Whether you’re looking to protect your skin from harmful UV rays without needing to reapply sunscreen every 75 minutes, or you just want a bit of extra coverage around your hips, a cute swim dress can be just the ticket. While there was a time swim dresses were basically synonymous with the word ‘dowdy,’ that’s simply not the case in 2025. Which is perhaps why searches for “swim dress” are at an all-time high, with pink being by far the most popular color option. With options on the style that are both flattering and chic, and that won’t turn you into a ballooning jellyfish once you get in the water (a frustrating reality of far too many swim skirts and shorts). In fact, one 34-year-old friend and mom of two tells me they’re her new go-to swimwear silhouette.
“I like to have some extra coverage in the rear while running after my toddler at the pool,” she says, “but shorts always seem to ride up the thighs, skirts somehow migrate up and up and up until they’re really not covering my butt at all, and sarongs just aren’t practical for active pool days. It’s taken a lot of trial and error to find the right ones that don’t make me look or feel totally frumpy, but I’m all in on the swim dress now.” Her top brand recommendations? Lands’ End and Cupshe. “Lands’ End has surprisingly cute swimwear, and a huge size range, including long torso.” As for Cupshe, she raves about the quality given the lower price point (almost everything is under $50), which means she doesn’t feel so bad about not treating her bathing suits quite so delicately.
Ready to test the waters (pun very much intended) with a swim dress of your own? Here are nine great options that will have you looking and feeling fabulous all summer long.
